This beautifully smooth traditional caramel is delicious and easy to make!
A while back we visited Vala’s pumpkin patch and they are not only known for their delicious pies but also their delicious caramel apple boats! So instead of having to wait a full year and purchase a hefty pass in order to enjoy this delicious treat I decided to make it myself at home. This delicious traditional caramel is perfect for making wonderfully delicious caramel apple boats!
Tools Needed
- Heavy Bottom Pot
- Whisk or Rubber Spatula
- 16 oz. Mason Jar (for storing)
Ingredients for Homemade Caramel
Sugar: Any sugar will do I do like Domino because it is a little more fine than Store brand, but any sugar will do I have substituted for a store brand quite frequently.
Butter: You will want to use a high quality unsalted butter such as Land o lakes for this recipe. The better quality your butter the easier it will be to incorporate into the sugar once it’s melted.
Heavy Cream: Although any heavy cream will do a higher quality heavy Queen has a richer taste and will mix more smoothly into your butter and sugar.
Salt: A bit of sea salt can really bring out the flavor in this caramel.
Vanilla: A hint of vanilla makes this caramel taste super gourmet!
How To Make Homemade Caramel
Pre-heat: Preheat your pen for at least 3 to 5 minutes on Medium-high heat.
Add: Add your sugar to the Pan and when it begins to melt down stir (the mixture will be crumbly).
Wait: Let sit for another 3-4 minutes and continue to stir every 3-4 minutes until completely melted into an Amber color about 10 to 15 minutes. Be PATIENT!
Remove: Quickly remove the melted sugar from heat and add your butter to the pan very carefully and stir vigorously until fully incorporated into the sugar.
Mix: Then add your room temperature heavy cream to the pan and stir vigorously mixing until fully incorporated.
Pour: Carefully pour into a Mason jar to let cool. Mixture will be HOT!
Storing Your Caramel
Caramel can be stored in a clean glass jar with a lid in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for at least a month.
Tips
- Make sure to pre-heat your pan before adding the sugar.
- Only mix every 3-4 minutes
- Work quickly as soon as the sugar turns amber to prevent a bitter taste
Serving Suggestions
- Make Caramel Apple boats using sliced apples and topping of your choice!
- Use in a sundae or add to buttercream for caramel buttercream
Homemade Caramel
Equipment
- Heavy Bottom Stainless Steel or non-stick Pot
- Whisk or Rubber Spatula
- 16 oz Mason Jar
Ingredients
- 1 C Sugar
- 6 T Unsalted Butter
- 1/2 C Heavy Cream
- 1/2 tsp sea salt (optional)
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your pen for at least 3 to 5 minutes on Medium-high heat.
- Add your sugar to the Pan and when it begins to melt down stir (the mixture will be crumbly).
- Let sit for another 3-4 minutes and continue to stir every 3-4 minutes until completely melted into an Amber color about 10 to15 minutes.
- Quickly remove the melted sugar from heat and add your butter to the pan very carefully and stir vigorously until fully incorporated into the sugar.
- Then add your room temperature heavy cream to the pan and stir vigorously until fully incorporated.
- Carefully add to a Mason jar to let cool for at least 1 hour or overnight.
That’s it! After cooling our caramel is ready to eat! Let me know how this recipe worked for you and any adjustments you’ve made below!
*Notes:
- Use EXTREME caution when making ANY caramel and be sure to move quickly and carefully as SOON as your caramel start to turn color as it progresses FAST.
- If you like your caramel a little bitter than allow to turn to a slightly darker amber color.
Step by step with pictures
Step 1&2
Preheat your pen for at least 3 to 5 minutes on Medium-high heat. Add your sugar to the Pan and when it begins to melt down stir (the mixture will be crumbly).
Step 3 & 4
Let sit for another 3-4 minutes and continue to stir every 3-4 minutes until completely melted into an amber color about 10 to 15 minutes. (see note*)
Step 5 & 6
Quickly remove the melted sugar from heat and add your butter to the pan very carefully and stir vigorously until fully incorporated into the sugar.
Step 7
add your room temperature heavy cream to the pan and stir vigorously mixing until fully incorporated.
Step 8
Carefully pour into a Mason jar to let cool. Mixture will be HOT!
Step 9
Enjoy Your delicious caramel!
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